Evaluation of Acute and Chronic Toxicity of Some Synthetic Cannabinoids in Assiut Psychiatric Hospitals (Clinical and Experimental Study)

Synthetic cannabinoids (SCs) are new human-made mind-altering chemicals which are similar to chemicals found in the marijuana plant; they are recent to be used recreationally, especially by young adults[1]. This new generation of novel cannabinoid compounds has been developed to avoid drug control laws and routine cannabinoid blood tests[2].

SCs are dissolved in ethanol or acetone and sprayed on plant material, which is then sold in packets as incense, herbal blends. These products are sold under a variety of names including "Spice," "K2," "Black Mamba," "Scooby Snax" and in Egypt is known as "Voodoo" and "Strox". The chemical constituents and concentrations of compounds vary between and within packages[3].

Voodoo is one of these synthetic Cannabinoids that newly emerged in Egypt targeting the youth causing many reported cases of toxicity. This made the Egyptian Ministry of Health in 2014 to list it in drug schedule 1 and warned traffickers and users that they are now under criminal penalties[4].

Hundreds of SC were categorized into many structural groups and can be detected by Gass chromatography such as adamantoylindoles, aminoalkylindoles, benzoylindoles, cyclohexylphenols, dibenzopyrans, naphthoylindoles, naphthylmethylindoles, naphthylmethylindenes, naphthoylpyrroles, phenylacetylindoles, tetramethylcyclopropyl ketone indoles, quinolinyl ester indoles, and indazole carboxamide compounds[5].

Usually, 0.5 to 3 g of finely cut green/brown plant material is presented in colorful and professionally designed packets. Various herbs such as Pedicularis densiflora, Nymphacea caerulea, Leonotis leonurus, Leonurus sibiricus, Carnavalia maritima, and Zornia latifolia were declared as ingredients [6].